Universal Strength Scaling in Carbon Nanotube Bundles with Frictional Load Transfer

Carbon
nanotubes (CNTs) individually display exceptional mechanical
properties, but the strength of their mesoscale assemblies such as
bundles has a fundamental disconnect, with limited understanding of
its scaling. Here we use coarse-grained implementation of a CNT interface
with prescribed length distributions and parametrized cross-link density,
providing two essential control parameters. It is shown that a linear
relationship between strength of the bundles and these control parameters
exists, across multiple hierarchies of nanotube interfaces. Furthermore,
all geometrical perturbations caused by length distribution and bundle
dimensions result in a net stress concentration effect, without influencing
the scaling behavior.